As always, Critical Mass Orlando was a beautiful festival of hundreds of riders on bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and more taking the streets as is their right every day. This is a social ride as much as anything, riding the last Friday of every month from Orlando Loch Haven Park.

I sooo hope this is not our last peacetime ride, given the ugly mess in Texas. As I left the ride, I passed a lit-up “crystals” art exhibit that had been in DC for the Dec 2016 DC Bike Party, then as now having been a time of great menace. Major deja vu with that.

Allison Bailey shot this photo of the New Columbia Movement (Christian nationalists) at the big forced-birth march I prefer to call the “March4Death” on Jan 19 in Washington DC. Didn’t see it on the day of because I am not on Instagram, someone sent it to me directy.

Here they are attacking contraception, having as predicted moved on from abortion. One trench is taken, the next trench comes under fire.

On the 20th of January, the annual Women’s March events took to the streets again. This time, the main event was out West but many cities including DC had events as well. In DC the event was bottomlined by the community activists of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams.

A bit past halfway through the startup rally on Freedom Plaza, fetus-stealing PAAU (so-called “Progessive Anti-Abortion Uprising”) tried to steal the show. They invaded the Plaza with bullhorns but didn’t have the numbers to seriously challenge Harriet’s Wildest Dreams.

Notably, PAAU (best known for stealing fetuses from clinics to baptize and bury) was calling abortion “murder,” which is tantamount to a call for executing women who get underground abortions. One of the speakers from Harriet’s Wildest Dreams recounted having had a miscarriage and pointed out that Black women are already being sent to jail and prison over miscarriages under a variety of racist and misogynistic laws.

PAAU attempted to hassle the front of the march all the way to the White House, but their bullhorns lacked the sound power for that job. On 15th st, a second group of counterprotesters had been lying in wait like infantry in an ambush. On seeing the march they opened up with bagpipes, in the process insulting and fouling rather nice musical instruments. Both groups followed the march into the White House but were heavily outnumbered.

Both at Freedom Plaza and at the White House, the counterprotesters were in turn counter-counter protested.

One of the counterprotesters (at end of video) turned out to be a known J6 (Capitol Insurrection) participant. The men among them were called out as being men trying to tell women what do with their bodies.

On the 19th of January, the so-called “March4Life” marched on the Supreme Court in Washington DC. Both on the Mall and at the Supreme Court they faced solo or paired counterprotesters with loud bullhorns. On the Mall, cops removed them but at SCOTUS they were able to stay put.

Some of the lowlights of the march were “Make more Babies” signs carried by a number of marchers, and the appearance of the Christian Nationalist group “New Columbia Movement.” They met up with Patriot Front, but here the crowd drew a line.

Citing the fact that Patriot Front was at Charlottesville (as American Vanguard) other forced-birth marchers jeered them. As the march began, they threw in the towel and left: a few (presumably Rousseau and his top henchment) by a rented U-haul truck and the rest by Red Line Metro. They got off at Shady Grove.

Also present were signs supporting the “White Rose Resistance” a name associated in the past with clinic bombing, and other signs mentioning guns or with variations on the Gasden (rattlesnake) flag. These imply potential militia activity around abortion.

On the 18th of DC, a covert action team sucessfully entered the “March4Life expo” staged by organizers of the next day’s big march for forced birth and fetal personhood. Fliers were left in strategic locations, and stickers applied where they were sure to be seen.

There were many examples of extremism on display inside, notably someone boasting about having been conceived through rape.

As for “pro life,” this was a big indoor unmasked event during the annual winter covid and flu surge in DC.

On the day before the annual forced-birth march in Washington DC, antiabortion extremists netted a very tiny turnout of maybe a dozen or so at the White House. They did also attract a counterprotester.

Tomorrow, it is supposed to snow all day on the forced-birther’s main event.

On the 15th of January under steady snow, the annual MLK day parade marched in Anacostia. A mixed group of protesters marched near the front-and pulled off to the side just blocks short of the reviewing stand area.

Lining the sidewalk with protest signs showing, peoir let MPD (Metropolitan Police Department) pass in silence. Soon therafter was the Mayor’s contingent, and protesters opened up with chants of “Kids out of Cages.”

DC Media Group’s report, posted here as their own site is down

For the Iron Snowflake report with more detail on the fracas at the riot fence outside the White House, see https://ironsnowflake.blackblogs.org/2024/01/14/march-on-washington-for-gaza-reportback/

Washington, DC—Tens of thousands rallied in Freedom Plaza and marched through the Nations Capital in support Palestinians in what may be the biggest action ever taken here on behalf of Gaza. Awashed in a sea of waving Palestinian flags—black, white, green, red—speakers with relatives in Gaza told of the carnage unfolding in the occupied territory and warned many more innocents would be lost if hostilities did not soon end. Many wore Kufiya scarves wrapped around their shoulders and partially covering their faces. More carried signs with messages such as, “Stop the Genocide,” “Stop Funding Apartheid Now,” and “Free Palestine.”

The action was organized by American Muslim Task Force for Palestine, with many organizations such as CAIR, Muslin American Society, Young Muslims, and Answer, taking part. Speakers urged international support be given to Gaza which is suffering the onslaught of a lopsided military campaign. Speakers demanded the Biden Administration stop all military aid to Israeli forces and put more pressure on the Israel government to implement a permanent ceasefire. Their messages were also streamed over foreign media services and published on social media for those in Gaza, although it was unlikely very many could receive them since electronic communication inside Gaza was said to be cut off or limited.

The organizers originally planned to rally on the National Mall, however a heavy winter storm saturated the ground and necessitated a move to Freedom Plaza which was dry. Thousands squeezed into the plaza, which itself is one of the largest public spaces available for stationery protests in Washington DC. Even so it was crowded and difficult to access so thousands more occupied the surrounding streets.

Adjacent to the plaza, at the Wilson Building, home of DC Government Administration, someone taped a Palestinian flag to the arm on the statue of former DC Mayor Marion Berry and wrapped a Kufiya scarf around his neck. Across the square, a group of Palestinian youths swayed to old songs sung by an elder about their struggle and living with courage in Gaza. In other places around the square groups paused for afternoon prayers while speakers and protesters fell silent out of respect.

After speaking the thousands lined on 14th Street and marched through Washington DC towards the White House. Along the route police stood in lines to guard Starbucks coffee shops.

Starbucks has become a focus of a targeted economic boycott for its support of the Israeli government. This boycott has extended to other retail giants such as McDonald’s fast food chain and BAE Systems, a technology and aerospace company providing support to the Israeli Defense Forces. The campaign (https://bdsmovement.net/get-involved/what-to-boycott) to boycott, divest, and sanction has been an ongoing resistance tactic to bring economic pressure on the Israeli government for its blockade of Gaza.

The blockade has cost an estimated $16.7 billion in lost economic revenue since the Israeli government began its blockade in 2007, according to a UN report (https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1078532) published in 2020. Currently there is an 100 percent unemployment rate as the Gaza economy has collapsed. Much needed food and medical supplies have been reduced as Israeli Defense Forces have closed off the territory and allowed access at only one point.

Meanwhile, in Lafayette Park at the White House activists built an art installation to depict what life was like in Gaza amidst the bombing, destruction and occupation. The display contained broken cinderblocks laid in a long pile to mimic destroyed homes, hospitals, businesses, and schools. Between and behind the blocks were dozens of teddy bears. A periodic sound recording of explosions simulated the bombing of Gaza. Nearby a tank filled with red water symbolized the 11,000 children lost thusfar to the continuing bombing of Gaza. An activist added a bottle of red paint to the tank to symbolize the 270 daily average deaths in Gaza since the war began on October 7. A desk with paper and pens was set up for particpants to leave notes to families of the children killed in Gaza by the bombings.

The teddy bear motif is a local DC custom where families leave teddy bear memorabilia and written messages to their deceased kin in tree boxes near sidewalks where younth have been slain by gun violence. A spokesperson for the installation told DCMG they did not seek nor were they issued a permit for the installation, which was in itself an act of defiance. No officers of the Secret Service or the National Park Service attempted to force activists to remove the installation, which was a day-long event. Typically such installations are not permitted at that location.

A banner was also attached to the fence reading “Palestinian Children are not collateral damage.”

Later, as marchers reached Lafayette Park many remained past dusk. A group broke off from the main march and gathered along the fence and tensions rose. They shook a 10-foot barrier metal fence put up the day before. Authorities had erected it about 20 feet outside the Iron fence lining the lawn of the North Portico of the White House. Secret Service responded to keep the protesters from breaching the fence. But protesters’ defiace was driven by a growing sense of desperation for the welfare of Gazans and disillusionment with the Biden Administration’s diplomatic and military support of the Israeli government. No matter what Israeli government actions have been with respect to the Gaza occupation, the Biden Administration has supported it both politically and militarily. Several others distributed “Drop Biden” signs.

As night fell, and tensions continued growing in the park, Secret Service were dispatched to a portion of the fence to keep protesters from breaching the outer temporary metal barrier. There was one report of an arrest in Lafayette Park for an empty holster and nearby police reportedly pepper-sprayed a protester.

The war between Hamas and Israel is nearing its 100th day. Based upon the October invasion of Gaza, a blockade of Gaza imposed by the Israeli government since 2007, and the ensuing degradation of livability there, South Africa has filed a petition (https://www.icj-cij.org/case/192) before the International Court of Justice alleging Israel is committing Genocide in the occupied Gaza territory. In it’s application (https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240112-pre-01-00-en.pdf) South Africa argues Israel should immediately suspend its military operations and take all measures within its power to prevent genocide.

The application was filed (https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20231228-app-01-00-en.pdf) on December 2023, and supported by all the 57 members of Organization of Islamic Countries, The Arab League, Bolivia, Columbia, Brazil, Jordan, Turkey, The Maldives, Namibia and Pakistan.

Uncountable numbers of munitions have been dropped on Gaza, many of which are unguided “dumb bombs” which have a high probability of missing targets and kill and injurie many innocents caught in crossfire. The structural damage to Gaza is also incalculably extensive as well—Gaza has a growing resemblance to the destroyed cities of Germany during WWII.

Unguided munitions used by Israeli Defense Forces account for nearly 50% of bombs used on Gaza, according to a published report (https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/13/politics/intelligence-assessment-dumb-bombs-israel-gaza/index.html). The report was the result of a U.S. intelligence assessment verified by three CNN sources.

Hamas has fired thousands of rockets into Israel and taken hostages, 100 of which remain unaccounted for. Lebanon has also fired rockets into Israel in sympathy with Gaza. Israel has attacked Lebanon as well. Most recently, and in the last few weeks, Yemen has become involved in the war as Houthi rebels launched drones and guided missiles towards shipping lanes in the Red Sea. In response, an Alliance of Western nations led by the U.S. and U.K., attacked radar sites and bases in Yemen over the last 2 days. Houthi military commanders promised a massive response in retaliation.

With escalating tensions and military activities spreading, the region continues to stumble towards a runaway regional conflict.

The UN has reported (https://unric.org/en/the-un-and-the-crisis-in-the-middle-east-gaza/) that 85% of Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced as a result of Israeli military operations in Gaza, with over 23,000 killed and 56,000 injured, many of them women and children. On Friday the UN met to discuss the Middle East crisis. “The UN relief chief told ambassadors that any Gazans forced to flee the enclave must be allowed to return “as international law demands.”

On the 13th of January, a massive march in solidarity with Gaza assembled on DC’s Freedom Plaza and from there proceeded to the White House. Chants of “Genocide Joe” frequently rang out.So many people attended the march that lead elements arrived at the White House while the last marchers were still on or leaving Freedom Plaza!

Action lasted long past sunset. As the sun set the energy rose-and the White House security lights came on. As smoke flares burned, the fence shook and water bottles flew over the 10 foot riot fence the cops set up in front of the normal White House fence. At one point, cops behind the fence charged but drew back as more bottles flew. This may have been a bluff charge.

One person reported being pepper sprayed by cops but they seemed to be OK. One arrest or detention occurred during earlier the march, supposedly for an empty holster.

I later heard a report later of a “fence breach”-and that nonessential staffers had been ordered to leave the White House. Both of those are unconfirmed but plausible given the energy of the protest. In every way it reminded me of the first night of the Uprising in DC back in 2020. That was the night protesters succeeded in driving Trump into his bunker. If the reports pan out and especially if Genocide Joe also fled to his bunker, that first night of the Uprising in DC has been matched.